| One of the single most contributing factors that have | | | | become very slippery when they are wet. |
| influenced insurance costs for retail and restaurant | | | | Tile manufactures specify certain tiles that have a |
| establishments over the years is slip and fall incidents | | | | high slip resistance value when wet to be used when |
| involving customers and employees. This is a known | | | | exposed to various contaminants. A sure way to |
| fact that has been articulated in studies conducted | | | | demonstrate to one's insurance company that the slip |
| by government agencies such as the Centers for | | | | resistance of a floor surface has been considered in a |
| Disease Control and The National Safety Council. The | | | | facility is to provide the insurance company with the |
| cost of slip and fall injuries is being elevated even | | | | coefficient of friction data supplied from the tile |
| higher as we see the baby boomers age. Recent | | | | manufacturer. This will show the insurance company |
| court records show that this is the most litigious | | | | that the retailer was aware that the coefficient of |
| generation in history and those that experience a slip | | | | friction (COF) was important when the floor surface |
| and fall are not walking away without demanding | | | | was selected. |
| huge sums of compensation in return for a fall. | | | | Performing additional COF testing 'after' the surface |
| "Falls among people 65 and older is now the leading | | | | has been installed and doing so periodically over the |
| cause of injury deaths," said Bill O'Connell, executive | | | | year will also demonstrate to the insurance company |
| director of Government Affairs for the National | | | | that the retailer is making sure the floor surface is |
| Safety Council. "Furthermore, the mortality rate from | | | | receiving the proper maintenance. How these floor |
| falls for older Americans has increased 39 percent | | | | surfaces are maintained can have a profound impact |
| between 1999 and 2005. We must find a way to | | | | to the number of slip and fall incidents. Since this may |
| combat this growing public health concern before it is | | | | require a complete change in behavior for the facility |
| too late." | | | | staff from how the surface was maintained |
| According to the 50-state breakdown of senior death | | | | beforehand, (such as a carpet or a floor that required |
| rates from accidental falls, New Mexico ranked | | | | the application of a floor finish), it must be recognized |
| highest with 99.26 deaths per 100,000 people over | | | | that how the surface is maintained will have to |
| the age of 65, and Alaska ranked lowest, with 15.95 | | | | change in order to keep safety in its place. If this is |
| deaths. Florida had the highest total number of | | | | not recognized the consequences can result in an |
| deaths with 1,405, but ranked 22nd in death rate at | | | | increase in slip and fall incidents, increased insurance |
| 43.01 per 100,000. | | | | costs, and the possibility that negligence may now |
| "The CDC's alarming statistics showing that falls | | | | become an issue in a lawsuit. |
| among seniors are a leading cause of senior disability | | | | When evaluating a loss control strategy, a facility will |
| and death should be a call to action to all of us," said | | | | want to understand that the previous losses and |
| Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) who hosted the | | | | forecast losses are factored into the premium |
| briefing in conjunction with the Congressional | | | | promulgation by the insurance provider. By |
| Prevention Caucus. "Senior falls are not inevitable, and | | | | implementing a focused and measurable loss control |
| therefore we need to focus our federal policies and | | | | strategy to reduce your cost of risk for slip and falls, |
| programs on proven strategies to prevent falls and | | | | you will immediately see savings on future premiums, |
| their disabling and often fatal consequences." | | | | and will endear your company to the insurance |
| This statistic alone has caused many insurance | | | | provider. Furnishing any documentation that shows |
| companies to sit up and take notice, which includes | | | | your company has recognized the need to be aware |
| spending time educating their clients on the need to | | | | of the slip coefficient of friction on a floor surface will |
| be attentive to what should to be done to lessen | | | | enhance your position with your insurance provider. It |
| the likelihood that a slip and fall will occur. They are | | | | will also allow you to request a price consideration |
| encouraging their clients to chose the right floor | | | | when your insurance coverage comes up for renewal |
| surface, to implement a written, comprehensive, floor | | | | since slip and fall claims will have been reduced with |
| safety program that is attentive to the aging | | | | your proactive program. |
| population, and to also train their staff accordingly. | | | | The legal community is beginning to recognize that |
| "Mitigating risk involves more than lip service", stated | | | | facility operators have options that can improve floor |
| Mr. Brian Siegel, VP of Risk Management for | | | | safety and reduce slip and fall claims. When retailers |
| Westgate Properties, "and the time is coming that | | | | take precautionary steps that include a method that |
| insurance companies will require quantitative proof | | | | records slip resistance values, such evidence can |
| that an organization fully understands the need to be | | | | dispute claims of negligence, should a slip and fall |
| attentive to this causation of injury and that they | | | | occur, and go a long way towards making a claim go |
| have initiated corrective steps," | | | | away. |
| "Where there are people walking on any type floor | | | | With the aging population and the increased cost of |
| surface, the possibility of a slip and fall occurring | | | | insurance, it is vital that companies realize the |
| when the surface gets contaminated is accelerated | | | | importance of floor safety. The legal professionals |
| greatly", said Mr. Russ Kendzior, President of the | | | | are setting on the sidelines and are ready to pounce |
| National Floor Safety Institute. It is incumbent upon | | | | when companies don't demonstrate a proactive |
| retailers to understand the dynamics behind this slip | | | | approach to reducing slip and fall injuries. You can |
| and fall dilemma. Retailer's that are up-grading their | | | | reduce insurance costs with a program that includes |
| facilities to provide a 'fresh look' to give their | | | | identifying the right surface for the right setting, |
| customers a new experience will many times install a | | | | measuring the slip resistance value of the surface |
| new floor surface. These new floor surfaces are | | | | regularly, and implementing a maintenance regiment |
| generally hard stone such as marble, granite, or even | | | | that keeps floor safetyin first place. |
| polished terrazzo. Some of these surfaces can | | | | |